Macedonian Dynasty (jan 1, 867 – jan 1, 1056)

Description:

The Macedonian Dynasty
• Problems of Michael reign were dealt with
• Founded by Basil I
• Held off foreign invaders
• Reestablished domestic order
• Wanted byzantines to be seen as continuation of
Romans
• Recognized certain Germanic leaders
◦Mostly viewed them as barbarians
• Economy
◦Strengthened position of free farmers
‣ Many felt threatened by landed aristocrats attempting to extend their
estates
‣ Didn’t completely work, nobles hard to control

◦Extended trade relations with Western Europe
‣ Extensively sold silks and metalwork
◦Constantinople flourished
• Religious
◦Active missionary efforts
‣ Spread to Buglars and Serbs
‣ Kiev converted in 987
• Byzantines became model for Russian religious and political life

• Court
◦Civil Service
‣ Well educated
‣ Oversaw collection of taxes
‣ Domestic and foreign policy
Reign of Basil I
• Not born in Constantinople
◦Came to Constantinople to have an improved life
• Impressed Emperor Michael III with his wresteling
skills
◦Married Emperor Michael III’s mistress
◦Made co-emperor
• Arranged Michael’s assassination
• Established Macedonian Dynasty
Reign of Leo VI(886-912)
• Known as Leo the wise
• Scholar
• Composed works on politics and theology
• Systemized rules
• On regulating trade
• On court officials
• Arranged for a new codification of Byzantine Law
Reign of Constantine VII(945-959)
• Wrote a detailed treatise on foreign policy to instruct

his officials and son on running the empire
• Reduced tax burden on peasants
Reign of Basil II(976-1025)
• Many emperors in tenth century mobilized army and
took offensive
• Increased size of Empire to largest since early seventh
century
◦Campaign again bulgars
‣ First campaign was a failure
‣ Eventually defeated the bulgars
• Annexed Bulgaria
• Blinded 14,000 bulgar captives before allowing them to go home
◦Added islands of Crete and Cyrus to Empire
◦Defeated Muslim forces in Syria
‣ Expanded empire to upper Euphrates

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